Borrow eBooks and Audiobooks on your PC

Read through this post to find out how to download Audiobooks and eBooks to your PC.  OverDrive Media Console and Adobe Digital Editions will allow you to listen to Audiobooks and read eBooks from your laptop or desktop.

If you have an eReader, Smartphone, or Tablet find your device HERE for instructions.

Downloading Adobe Digital Editions to read eBooks:

Download Adobe Digital Editions to read eBooks

1. Go to www.adobe.com/products/digital-editions.html and select “Download Now.” Next, select the version for PCs.

2. Follow the directions to download and install. Open Adobe Digital Editions, and select “Help” from the top menu. Next, click “Authorize Computer.”

3. Select “Create an Adobe ID” to authorize your computer. You will only have to do this once.

Search:

1. Go to http://overdrive.mlcstl.org to browse recently purchased eBooks and Audiobooks, browse genres, or use the search bar at the top of the page to find a book.

2. You can search for specific books, authors and Subjects at the top of the page, or you can browse Collections.

The Advanced Search option (click on the magnifying glass icon) allows you to filter your results by format, subject, title, author and availability.

3. When items are displayed, you will see either a blue banner with “Available” or a white banner with “Wait List” above the title image. To see whether an item is either an eBook or Audiobook, check out the information listed underneath the title image.

• If a book is currently checked out, you can place a hold. You will be prompted to sign in with your library card number if you are not already and to confirm your e-mail address to receive a notice when it becomes available.
• When you receive notification that your hold is available, you will have 3 days to go to your account and check out the book (if you do not opt for automatic checkouts).
• If already checkout to you, go to your Loans page (books icon) to download the item.

4. If you are looking for a book that you can download immediately, go to the “Available Now” option within the Collections drop-down menu.

 

Borrow

5. When you have selected an item, click on the word “Borrow” underneath the title image.

6. Next, you will be prompted to sign in, if you are not already, with your library card number before you can check out the item.

7. After you have signed into your account, you will be taken to your Loans page (books icon).

8. Click on “Choose a Format” next to the title image, and select “EPUB eBook” or “PDF eBook” (either version will open on a PC).

** For Audiobooks, you can either “Listen now” to play right in your browser or download the audiobook to your computer (you must install OverDrive for Windows first)

9. Next, you will be prompted to Open or Save your book. Choose “Open.”

10. When the book finishes downloading, it will open in Adobe Digital Editions. Click on “Library” in the top left corner.

11. This will take you to the main screen with all your borrowed library books.

 

Downloading OverDrive Media Console to listen to Audiobooks:

1. Download the OverDrive Media Console app by going to http://omc.overdrive.com/

2. Follow the set-up instructions to finish installing OverDrive Media Console.

3. Start browsing the Municipal Library Consortium’s collection at overdrive.mlcstl.org.  You can browse, borrow, place holds and checkout Audiobooks the same way that you check out eBooks.

4. After you have found an Audiobook, you can choose to download it in either MP3 or WMA format–both are compatible with PC.

5. When you’ve clicked ‘Download’ from your Bookshelf, OverDrive Media Console will automatically open.  Click ‘OK’ to download the Audiobook.

6. The Audiobook will begin downloading in parts.  After the first part has finished downloading you may begin listening by double clicking on the title.

Some more links about OverDrive and Adobe Digital Editions:

• Getting started with a Windows Computer
• How to reinstall OverDrive Media Console for Windows

Borrow Audiobooks and eBooks on your Mac

Read through this post to find out how to download Audiobooks and eBooks to your Mac desktop or laptop.  OverDrive Media Console and Adobe Digital Editions will allow you to listen to Audiobooks and read eBooks from your laptop or desktop.

If you have an eReader, Smartphone, or Tablet find your device from ‘Guides to Using OverDrive’ for instructions.

Downloading Audiobooks

1. Download the OverDrive app by going to omc.overdrive.com and choosing the option for Mac computers.

2. Start browsing the Municipal Library Consortium’s collection at overdrive.mlcstl.org.

3. From the OverDrive homepage, you can start browsing Audiobooks from the main menu by choosing a category under the Collections drop-down menu. After you have selected a category, you will be shown all of the titles owned by the Municipal Library Consortium.  If you would like to view only the titles that are immediately available for checkout, click the “Available now” options under the Audiobooks section within the Collections menu.

4. After you have selected an Audiobook, click on the word ‘Borrow’ underneath the title image and sign in to your account with your library card number. *You can only download MP3 Audiobooks to the Mac OverDrive App.

5. You will be taken to your Loans page (books icon) where you can download your Audiobook. Click on Download the MP3 format.

6. The Audiobook will open in your Downloads. Double click on the title and select ‘Open.’

7. The OverDrive Media Console will automatically open.

8. A “Get Media” box will open where a default location is set—this does not need to be changed. Click ‘OK.’

9. The entire audiobook will be selected for download. If you don’t want the whole book, you can select the parts of the audiobook that you want to download.

10. The audiobook will appear in your OverDrive Media Console library, and begin downloading. Audiobooks are large files, so they can take some time to download.

11.  Double click on the title to begin playing the Audiobook.

 

Transfer to an iPod:

After the download has completed you can transfer to an iPod by selecting ‘Transfer’ on the top menu.

• A set-up wizard will open to guide you through the steps of transferring your Audiobook to an iPod. When you have inserted your iPod and clicked ‘Next,’ your Audiobook will begin downloading to your device.
• Once you have transferred a title onto your iPod, you can listen to it just like you would any audio file on the device.  MP3 titles can be found under ‘Music.’
•  Audiobooks can also be burned to a CD by clicking on the ‘Burn’ option on the top menu. Follow the wizard to complete the process. (You will need multiple CDs for Audiobooks)

 

Downloading eBooks

1. Download Adobe Digital Editions at http://www.adobe.com/products/digital-editions/download.html and choose ‘Download Macintosh.’

2. An installer will open.  Follow the steps to complete installation.

3. When installation has been completed, you can open Adobe Digital Editions.

4. If you aren’t prompted to authorize your computer the first time you open Adobe Digital Editions, go to the top menu and select ‘Help’ and ‘Authorize Computer.’  *If you do not authorize your computer, you will not be able to open eBooks that you have borrowed.

5. If you do not already have an Adobe ID, click on ‘Create an Adobe ID.’  This will direct you to the Adobe website where you can fill out your information.  After you have registered for an ID, return to Adobe Digital Editions and enter your login information.  *This step only needs to be completed once!

6.  Now that your computer is authorized, you can begin browsing eBooks at http://overdrive.mlcstl.org.

7. When you find the title that you want, underneath the title image will be the option to “Borrow” (or “Place a hold” if it is currently checked out).

8. After you select ‘Borrow,’ you will need to sign in with your library card number, if you have not already. After you have signed in, you will be taken to your Loans page where you can download the eBook to your computer.  When you download the eBook there will be several options for format.  Make sure you choose either EPUB or PDF (all formats are not always available for all eBooks).

9. EPUB and PDF eBooks will automatically open in Adobe Digital Editions, so you can immediately begin reading your eBook.  To return to your OverDrive library, click the ‘Library’ button in the top left-hand corner of the screen.

10.  All of your downloaded eBooks will appear in your Adobe Digital Editions Library.  After the loan has expired the books will no longer open.  You can return books early by right clicking on the cover and choosing to return the book.

Placing a Hold on Audiobooks or eBooks:

You can tell if books are currently checked out by the banner at the top of the title image. If it is blue and says “Available” you can immediately check the item out. If it is white and says “Wait list” you can only place a hold. Underneath the title image there is more information including what format the item comes in (Audio or eBook).  Audiobooks have a headphones symbol and eBooks have a book symbol.

• If an item is currently checked out, you can place a hold.
• When clicking “Place a hold” you will be prompted to sign in with your library card number and asked to confirm your email address. The library will notify you when your hold is available. You will have 3 days to check out your book if you have not opted for automatic check-outs.
• Download your hold by going to your Loans page (books icon).
• Next, view your holds (tab on left side of page) to download the book.

Check out these links for some more information and troubleshooting:

• How to manually install Adobe Digital Editions for Mac
• How to authorize Adobe Digital Editions on a computer
• What to do if there is a DRM error on a Mac
• How to reinstall OverDrive Media Console for Mac

Have any questions?  Leave them in the comments section or contact the library!

Borrow eBooks and Audiobooks on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch

These instructions are for OverDrive version 3.0.  To run version 3.0 you must have:

• iOS 6*
• iPhone 3GS*
• iPad 2*
• iPod Touch 4th Generation*                              *or newer

To check your iOS version, go to:  settings>general>about

Getting Started:

1. Download the free OverDrive app from the App Store. All you will need is your Apple ID and password.

2. When you open the app, it will direct you to open the menu in the left corner of the screen.

3. Next, you will be asked to add a library.  Find the Webster Groves Library by searching by name or zip code.  Add the Municipal Library Consortium to include all the Libraries within our Consortium and to start browsing titles.

 

Borrowing eBooks and Audiobooks:

1. Click on ‘Municipal Library Consortium’ from your app menu (three lines on upper left side of screen).  This will take you to the library’s homepage of OverDrive where you can browse for eBooks and Audiobooks.

2. When you select a title, click on the word “Borrow” underneath the title image.

3. Next, you will be prompted to sign in and asked to enter your entire library card number.

 

4. The book will now be checked out. Download it by going to your Loans page (books icon) and clicking on “Choose a Format” for eBook.  Next, click on EPUB eBook. If it is an Audiobook, you will be asked to “Add to app” (the only format is MP3 for Audiobooks and will already be selected).

5. Swiping the screen to the right, or clicking on menu icon in the top left corner (three lines) will take you to your borrowed titles when you select “Bookshelf” from the menu.

6. All the books that you have borrowed from the library will appear on this screen.

7. Clicking once on the title will open your Audiobook or eBook.

8. To borrow more items, tap ‘Add a title’ from your Bookshelf.

 

Placing a Hold:

• If a book is currently checked out, you can place a hold.
• When you find an item, you will be prompted to sign in if you have not already and then to confirm your e-mail address. The library will notify you when your hold is available. You will have 3 days to check out your book if you have not opted for automatic check-outs.
• To access your hold, go to your Loans page (books icon).

• Next, choose your holds from the menu on the left side of the page.  Next to the cover of the item there will be an option to download.

 

Returning Audio and eBooks:

If you have finished your book before the loan expires, you may return the item by pressing and holding on the title.  You will be given the option to delete, return, or share the book that you have finished.  Expired loans will automatically be returned.

*A total of 10 eBooks and Audiobooks may be checked out at a time.

Is an Audio or eBook not opening or playing on your device?

• Go to your account by selecting ‘Municipal Library Consortium’ from the menu.  Then, choose the books icon for your  Loans page.
• The Loans page in your account will show you the titles that are currently checked out.
• Download again the titles that are not working.
• Titles that are not compatible with your Apple device will not display a download button.

Want some more tips on how to use OverDrive on your Apple device?  Check out these links:

• What to do if WMA audiobooks are not transferring to an iPhone, iPad or iPod
• How to show or hide the option bars while reading an eBook on an iOS device
• How to listen to music and read an eBooks at the same time
• What to do if files are not downloading in OverDrives mobile app for iOS

Borrow Audio and eBooks on your NOOK HD and HD +

Installing OverDrive

1. Download the OverDrive app from Google Play for free.  (Skip section 2-4)

OR

1. Open the app section of your NOOK from the menu and select “Shop Now.”

2. Search for “OverDrive,” and select the “Free” button next to the OverDrive symbol.

3. “Confirm” to start installation. (You may need to enter your B&N password).

4. When the app has finished downloading, select “Close” at the bottom of the screen.

5. Open the OverDrive app and follow the prompts to create an OverDrive account and log in. If you are under 13, select I am under 13 years old instead.

6. Tap the icon (three lines) in the top-left corner to open the Home menu. Click on Manage libraries, then tap + to find the Municipal Library Consortium by zip code or name.

• Tap on the star to save the library as a favorite.

• Tap on the library’s name to start browsing.

 

Search

7. The OverDrive app functions the same as the web browser. You can search for specific titles and authors by typing them into the search bar at the top of the page or you can browse by Collections and Subjects.

8. When you are browsing for items, you can choose to look at only the titles that are currently available for checkout by selecting “Now available” from the drop-down menu under Collections (either Audiobooks or eBooks).

9. When you have selected an item, click on the word “Borrow” underneath the title image.

10. Next, you will be prompted to sign in by entering your library card number in order to check out the item.

11. Once you have signed in, your device will begin loading the selected title. Some devices may prompt you to download the title afterwards. You can go to your Loans page (books icon) to view checked out titles and download them onto your device.

12. When the title has finished downloading you can find it in your OverDrive Library. You can access your library by opening the settings menu (upper left icon – three lines) and selecting the option “Bookshelf.” Tap the title to start reading or listening.

 

Place a Hold

• If  an eBook or Audiobook is currently checked out, the banner above the title image will be white and display “Wait list”. You can click on the words “Place a hold” underneath the title image.

 

• If you have not already signed in, you will be prompted to as well as to confirm your e-mail address. The library will contact you when your hold is available. After you have received your e-mail you will have 3 days to check out your hold if you have not opted for automatic check-outs.
• To access your hold, go to your Loans page (books icon).
• Next, choose your holds from the menu on the left side.  Next to the cover of the book there will be an option to download the book.

 

Want some more tips on how to use OverDrive on your NOOK?  Check out these sites:

• How to return or delete titles from the NOOK Color or NOOK Tablet
• NOOK Support from Barnes & Noble

Borrow eBooks on your NOOK Classic and Simple Touch

Setting up your Computer:

1. Go to www.adobe.com/products/digital-editions.html and select “Download Now.” Next, select the version for your computer (either PC or Mac).

2. Follow the directions to download and install. Open Adobe Digital Editions, and select “Help” from the top menu. Next, click “Authorize Computer.”

3. Select “Create an Adobe ID” to authorize your computer. You will only have to do this once.

Make sure your computer is authorized with the same Adobe ID as your NOOK!

 

Search:

1. Go to http://overdrive.mlcstl.org to browse recently purchased eBooks and Audiobooks, browse subjects, or use the search bar at the top of the page to find a book.

2. You can search for specific books by title and author name in the search bar at the top of the page or you can browse the Collections and Subjects.

The Advanced Search option (click on the magnifying glass icon) allows you to filter your results by format, subject, title, author and availability.

3. When books are displayed, you will see above the title image either a blue banner with “Available” for items you can check-out now or a white banner with “Wait list” for items you can only place holds on. To see the book format, underneath the title image it will display headphones with the word Audiobook or display a book with the word eBook.

• If a book is currently checked out, you can place a hold. You will be prompted to sign in if you are not already and asked to confirm your e-mail address to receive a notice when it becomes available.
• When you receive a notification that your hold is available, you will have 3 days to go to your account and check out the book, if you have not opted for automatic check-outs.

4. If you are looking for a book that you can download immediately, choose to view available titles by going to the Collections drop-down menu near the top left corner of the screen.

 

Borrow

5. When you have selected a title, click on the word “Borrow” underneath the title image.

6. Next, enter your library card number to sign in and check out the book.

7. After you have signed into your account, you will be taken to your Loans page (books icon).

8a. For eBooks, click on “Choose a Format” next to the title and select ePUB eBook.

8b. For Audiobooks, click on “Add to App” and the format, MP3 Audiobook will already be selected.

9. Next, you will be prompted to Open or Save your book. Choose “Open.”

10. When the book finishes downloading, it will open in Adobe Digital Editions. Click on “Library” in the top left corner.

11. This will take you to the main screen with all your borrowed library books.

12. Attach your NOOK to the computer with the USB cable.

13. Right click on the title you wish to transfer to your NOOK, and select “Copy to computer/device” and then select “nook.”

14. You can also click and drag your book to the bookshelf labeled “NOOK.”

15. Eject your NOOK.

If you are having problems reading your eBook, or transferring eBooks to your NOOK, check out some of the help links below:

• OverDrive Help: What to do if there is a User Not Activated Token or Loan Token Not Found error when trying to read an eBook
• OverDrive Help: How to open eBooks tranferred to a NOOK
• OverDrive Help: What to do if your NOOK is not detected by Adobe Digital Editions

Borrow Audio and eBooks on your Kindle Fire

Search:

1. Open your web browser, and go to http://overdrive.mlcstl.org to browse new eBooks and Audiobooks. You can search by Subject or Collection, or type in an author or title in the search bar at the top of the page.

The Advanced Search option (click on the magnifying glass icon) allows you to filter your results by format, subject, title, author and availability.

2. When books are displayed, you will see either a blue banner with “Available” for items you can check-out now or a white banner with “Wait list” for items you can only place holds on. To find out if the item is an eBook or Audiobook, look at the information underneath the title image. The headphones icon symbolizes an Audiobook and the books icon symbolizes an eBook.

• If a book is currently checked out, you can place a hold. Click on the word “Place a hold” underneath the title image and you will be prompted to sign in, if you have not already. Confirm your e-mail address to receive a notice when it becomes available.
• When you receive a notification that your hold is available, you will have 3 days to go to your Loans page (books icon) and check out the item from the Holds section. If you have opted for automatic check-outs, the item will appear in your check-outs already ready for you to download.

3. If you are looking for a book that you can download immediately, choose to view available titles by going to the Collections drop-down menu near the top left corner of the screen.

Borrow

4. After you have found a book, click on the word “Borrow” underneath the title image.

5. Next, you will be prompted to sign in with your library card number to check out the book, if you have not already.

6. After you have signed into your account, you will be taken to your Loans page (books icon).

7. For an eBook, click on “Choose a Format” and select Kindle Book.

8. At this point you will be redirected to the Amazon.com website. Choose “Get Library Book” and enter the Amazon e-mail address and password that was used to register your Kindle.

9. Your title will be downloaded to the carousel on the home screen of your Kindle. Click on the title to open the book and start reading.

• When you are finished with the book, you can press and hold on the title from the carousel. A menu will open that will give you the option to remove it from the carousel.
• There’s no need to remember due dates.  Books will automatically be returned when the loan has finished!

 

Downloading Audiobooks (and EPUB eBooks):

1. Download the OverDrive app from the Amazon appstore.
This app will allow you to download additional formats on your Kindle Fire, including MP3 Audiobooks and EPUB eBooks.

2. If you plan on downloading EPUB eBooks, you will have to authorize your device with an Adobe ID when you first download an eBook.  The Adobe Digital Editions box will appear when you click on download.  (The Adobe Authorization can also be accessed in the app settings).

3. If you don’t have an ID, select “Get a free Adobe ID.” You will only have to complete this step once.
You will not be able to download EPUB eBooks without creating an Adobe ID.

4. Open the app menu to navigate between your “bookshelf” and “Get Books +”
The app functions the same as the website, but there are a couple initial set-up steps for the app. You will not be able to download Kindle format books from the OverDrive app.

5. Open “Get Books +,” and find the Municipal Library Consortium to start browsing through the OverDrive app. Remember to select MP3 or EPUB when downloading your titles!

6. Your bookshelf is where you will find your downloaded Audiobooks and EPUB eBooks.

 

Check out these links for more Kindle Fire help:

• What to do if you’re having trouble browsing OverDrive powered websites with a Kindle Fire
• What to do if there is an invalid fulfillment request error when downloading a title to your Kindle Fire
• Amazon Kindle Support

Borrow eBooks on your Kindle Keyboard, Wi-Fi and Paperwhite

Search

1.  Go to http://overdrive.mlcstl.org to browse recently purchased eBooks and Audiobooks, browse subjects, or use the search bar at the top of the page to find a book by title or author name.  

The Advanced Search option (click on the magnifying glass icon) allows you to filter your results by format, subject, title, author and availability.

2. When books are displayed, you will see either a blue banner displaying “Available” for items you can check-out now or a white banner displaying “Wait list” for items you can only place a hold on. To see what format the book is comes in, see the information underneath the title image. The symbol for headphones is an Audiobook and the symbol of a book is an eBook.

• If a book is currently checked out, you can place a hold. You will be prompted to sign in first if you have not already and confirm your e-mail address to receive a notice when it becomes available.
• When you receive notification that your hold is available, you will have 3 days to go to your account and check out the book if you have not opted for automatic check-outs.

3. If you are looking for a book that you can download immediately, choose to view available titles going to the Collections drop-down menu near the top left corner of the screen.

*You can choose items that are available now in either eBook or Audiobook format.

Borrow
4. After you have found a book, click on the word “Borrow” underneath the title image.

5. Next, enter your library card number to sign in and check out the book.

6.  After you have signed into your account, you will be taken to your Loans page (books icon).  All of your currently checked out books will display on this screen.

7. Next to the title will be the option to “Choose a Format” and then select “Kindle Book.”

8. At this point you will be redirected to the Amazon.com website.  Choose “Get Library Book” on the far right side of the page and enter the Amazon e-mail address and password that was used to register your Kindle.

•  If your Kindle is Wi-Fi compatible, many titles will automatically download the next time you connect your Kindle to Wi-Fi.
•  If your Kindle does not support Wi-Fi or If a book is restricted by the publisher, continue following the directions to download via USB.